A dark, towering structure pierced the skies in the heart of a forbidden wasteland—a place untouched by sunlight or mortal breath. This was the Abyssal Throne Room, where the Ten High-Rank Demons gathered in a secret council. A massive round table, surrounded by floating pillars, stood in the center of a hellish chamber lit by red flames and dripping shadows.
Each demon sat on a levitating obsidian throne, marked by their insignia and powers. They were the elites of darkness, second only to one being—their king.
1. Darox, the Plague Sovereign (Rank: 10)
Appearance: Covered in rotting flesh and toxic gas
Power: Disease manipulation, toxic spores, viral storms
2. Vyra, Mistress of Illusions (Rank: 9)
Appearance: A shifting, faceless woman in a gown of mist
Power: Illusions, memory distortion, mental invasion
3. Gorrin, the Bone Giant (Rank: 8)
Appearance: A skeletal titan with glowing ribcage
Power: Bone manipulation, regeneration, seismic blows
4. Syrix, Flame Howler (Rank: 7)
Appearance: A burning wolf-shaped demon
Power: Fire storms, soul-burn, teleportation through flames
5. Malren, Blood Architect (Rank: 6)
Appearance: Slender figure with red threads from his fingers
Power: Blood control, fleshcraft, puppet mastery
6. Zenox, the Time Wrecker (Rank: 5)
Appearance: A cracked hourglass-shaped body, constantly ticking
Power: Time loops, speed bursts, time delay fields
7. The Twins - Zura & Zarik (Rank: 4)
Appearance: Conjoined shadow figures
Power: Dual manipulation – one of light, one of darkness
8. Xylar, The Whisperer (Rank: 3)
Appearance: A smoke-bodied creature with many mouths
Power: Persuasion, sound control, dissonant wails
9. Caleb, The Masked Flame (Rank: 2)
Appearance: Cloaked in crimson with a silver flame-marked mask
Power: Mind reading, fire constructs, dream walking
10. Argnor, The Laughing Reaper (Rank: 1 - Psychopath Demon)
Appearance: Wild eyes, stitched smile, jagged bones on skin
Power: Reality distortion, madness infection, death-touch
As the discussion began, they talked about recent activities of the Slayers, and most importantly—Metro.
Caleb stood and spoke calmly, "The boy's power is awakening. But his memories are sealed. The more pressure we apply, the more likely they break open."
Darox grunted. "Then why not unleash the hounds and draw him out completely?"
"No," Caleb replied. "Too soon. Let him ripen. He is the Hope... and the Weapon."
Suddenly, the entire throne room shifted—the torches blew out. The air turned cold. The walls turned pure black like a void swallowing all light.
Instantly, the room fell silent.
All demons bowed low to the ground—even the proud ones like Malren and Syrix. Only one demon stood upright, cackling with wide, crazed eyes.
Argnor, the Laughing Reaper.
"Hah! What's the point of kneeling, cowards? He's just late as always. I'm not bowing to some overhyped—"
BOOM.
A wave of darkness burst through the chamber as the doors swung open.
A man stepped into the room. His aura alone crushed the floor beneath him.
His name was Clader, King of Demons. A tall figure clad in an armored robe with eyes like dying stars. Long black hair flowed like smoke, and his voice echoed like a chorus of screams.
Clader's gaze locked on Argnor.
"I heard a dog bark," he said coldly.
Before Argnor could blink, Clader vanished, reappeared behind him, and slammed him into the wall with invisible force.
The throne room trembled.
Clader raised a finger and whispered, "Do not test me."
Argnor's body twisted, veins bulging, as he let out a cackling scream of pain—but then started laughing, even as blood ran down his nose.
"Beautiful pain… you haven't changed, my Lord."
Clader turned away, bored, as Argnor slumped to the ground twitching.
Clader now addressed the council, "There are whispers. Whispers of a boy. My blood. My heir. Metro. We must not allow the Slayers to reach him before I do. He belongs to me."
The council remained in silence, until Caleb calmly replied, "I have been with the boy. He is confused, but his spirit... unbroken."
Clader narrowed his gaze, then smiled. "Good. But we must not slack. The world may not know what's coming... but soon, they will kneel."
---
Scene 2: Flashback – Metro and His Mother
The screen shifted.
A warm sun. Waves crashing softly. A golden beach. Metro, young and full of laughter, ran barefoot on the sand. His mother, a beautiful woman with kind eyes and long braids, chased him.
They snapped pictures, built sandcastles, splashed in the ocean.
She kissed his forehead and said, "No matter what happens... never forget who you are, my light."
The image faded into darkness.
---
Scene 3: Metro's Awakening
GASP!
Metro jolted awake in his room, covered in sweat. Tears ran down his cheeks. He looked around, breathing hard.
He stumbled to the mirror in the bathroom and splashed water on his face.
"Why…" he whispered. "Why did you leave me, Mom? I need you. I... I'm losing it."
He stared at his own reflection like it was someone else.
Just then, the alarm buzzed.
Still shaken, he prepared for school. As he stepped outside, Caleb was waiting by the bus stop again.
Metro stared at him. "Okay, now you've officially become my stalker."
Caleb just smiled. "Just keeping you safe, remember?"
Metro raised a brow. "I'm not some glass doll."
"You're more important than you know," Caleb said, looking at the morning sky. "You're the hope of the world."
Metro blinked. "What's that supposed to mean?"
Caleb handed him a folded paper. "Visit me Saturday. We'll talk."
Just then, Mark ran toward them. He bumped Metro in the chest.
"Where the heck were you yesterday, bro?!"
"Wasn't feeling good," Metro mumbled.
Mark eyed Caleb suspiciously. "Who's the weirdo?"
"Just... someone," Metro replied. Then the bus arrived and both boys hopped in.
---
Scene 4: Visions and Madness
Later in the day, Metro visited the school library, hoping to clear his head.
He sat down and opened a book on mythology.
But suddenly, the room vanished.
Black void.
Monsters crawling across the floor, whispering. A massive gate stood ahead. And a cloaked Reaper-like figure stood before it.
"Your memories hold your answers," it spoke. "You must reclaim them. Save yourself… before they do."
Metro opened his mouth—but no words came.
Then—flash.
He woke up in the library screaming, causing students to jump in shock. The librarian shouted, "Are you okay?!"
Embarrassed, Metro quickly grabbed his bag and ran out.
---
Scene 5: The Identity Crisis
Alone in an empty classroom, Metro stared at the board. He picked up a marker and began writing fragments:
"Lucien said my mom was a Slayer?"
"Dad... scientist?"
"Demons? Visions? What's real?"
He stared at the wall and then screamed:
"Why won't anyone tell me WHO I AM?!"
He dropped to his knees. "What is my life?! Who are mine?! What is happening to me?!"
Suddenly—
"...Metro?"
A soft voice from the doorway.
Metro turned his head slowly, eyes wide.
Someone stood in the doorway.
---
TO BE CONTINUED…